Ridgeway, VA (AP) — Ryan Blaney celebrated his victory at Martinsville Speedway, a victory that launched the defending NASCAR champion into the season finale that will decide the title.

Meanwhile, Christopher Bell and William Byron waited awkwardly by their parked cars for a decision from NASCAR on who would be the fourth and final driver in the winner-take-all decider at Phoenix Raceway.

The question was whether Bell had hit the wall on the final lap and had gone around it to gain momentum and give him the final pass he needed to overtake Byron for the final spot in the championship. The move was quite similar to the one Ross Chastain used two years ago in Martinsville (it was nicknamed “Hail Melon”) and was subsequently banned the following offseason.

Blaney was returning to the championship finals for the right to defend his title against Penske teammate Joey Logano and 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick. The fourth-place finisher simply waited what seemed like an eternity for a NASCAR ruling.

Bell riding the wall was ultimately deemed illegal and Byron saved Hendrick Motorsports from a humiliating third round of the playoffs. Three Hendrick drivers were competing for the four spots in the finals and only Byron qualified, and only because Bell was deemed to have committed a safety violation.

“We had the situation with Ross here, we went to Phoenix, there was a lot of dialogue with the drivers that that’s not a move they want to have to make,” said Elton Sawyer, NASCAR senior vice president of competition. “In the offseason, meeting with the industry, meeting with our drivers, with a guy, that was not a move they wanted to make.”

Then it was banned.

Bell argued he had no choice when he crashed into the wall trying to avoid fellow Toyota driver Bubba Wallace, who claimed he had a flat tire. Bell rode a part to gain momentum and gave him the pass he needed to tie Byron in points for last place next week at Phoenix Raceway.

“I understand the rule is made to stop people from going over the wall, but my move was completely different than what Ross did,” said Bell, who was denied a third consecutive trip to the championship race.

“I slid against the wall and kept my foot on it. I guess it’s a losing move,” Bell continued. “I didn’t intentionally step on it or crash into the fence; I slipped against the wall and that’s all she wrote.”

Byron said: “He rode the wall and there is a clear rule that doesn’t allow it. So, in my opinion, that’s what counts. If it happened in the past, it was fair game. But now the norm is against it.”

Meanwhile, Blaney passed Hendrick driver Chase Elliott with 15 laps remaining to win at the Virginia track for the second year in a row. His victory last year propelled him to his first Cup title.

The title will go to the driver with the best result next Sunday between Blaney, Byron, Logano and Reddick.

“To have another shot at the championship is really special,” Blaney said. “Try to come back next week. I have nothing left. “My God, I’m tired.”

Last week, Blaney lost an automatic spot in the finals when Reddick passed him in the final turn at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The victory gives team owner Roger Penske two chances to win a third title this year: Penske’s teams won the sports car championships in both IMSA and Saturday’s World Endurance Championship.

Blaney’s victory was the 100th for Team Penske since partnering with Ford. Logano won the title in 2022, Blaney won in 2023 and now Penske has a shot at three straight Cup titles.

“A lot of momentum. It’s nice to have two Penske cars,” Blaney said. “It’s good to join (Logano) and have a decent chance to give Roger another title, a third title in a row, so these guys are the best at what they do and it’s been a lot of fun racing with them and hanging out.” victories and championships.

“It’s very strong right now in our organization and we hope it continues.”

Elliott finished second at Martinsville, Kyle Larson finished third and Penske driver Austin Cindric was fourth but ineligible for a championship spot.

Denny Hamlin drove from last to fifth place, but was eliminated from the playoffs and Byron was sixth and awarded the last spot in the championship field when Bell’s pass was ruled illegal. Bell finished 22nd after a spin early in the race. He had a large enough points cushion that left him tied with Byron for last place in the championship field.

Byron and Blaney return to the championship race for the second year in a row; Logano is the only two-time champion in the field and Reddick is making his debut in the title race.

The field is represented by a pair of Ford drivers, a Toyota and Hendrick’s Chevrolet.

Truex speeding penalty

Martin Truex Jr., who is retiring from full-time NASCAR racing after next week’s race, started the penultimate race of his Joe Gibbs Racing career from the pole.

He led the first 42 laps in his Toyota until he had to make his scheduled pit stop and Truex was penalized for speeding on pit road. The penalty left him three laps off the pace and ruined his race.

Truex, who was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round, then received a second speeding penalty and finished 24th on Sunday.

Next

Next Sunday’s season finale at Phoenix Raceway, where the driver with the best results among Logano, Reddick, Blaney and Byron will win the championship. Ross Chastain is the defending winner of the race, but was ineligible for the title last November.

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